Kesar Singh Thapa was unbeaten on 222 at the end Day Three. Photo Courtesy: Swapnil Sakhare-DNA

Jan 10, 2014

Thirteen-year-old Kesar Singh Thapa could not wait to meet his father Mansingh and inform him about his first double hundred he scored for Al Barkaat High school (Kurla) against Parle Tilak Vidayala (Vile Parle) on Wednesday.

However, his father Mansingh Thapa’s duty as the security guard of a hostel was not yet over for the day. Hence, he had no choice but to go ahead with a small party in his one room with a pizza prepared by his mother.

He also had to get up early on Thursday to continue his unfinished innings of 222 not out that guided his team to 467 for seven against Parle Tilak Vidyalaya on Day Three of the Elite Division Giles Shield at Azad Maidan on Wednesday.

“I have not yet informed my father about the knock. He has not come home from hostel. I cannot inform him on phone because I don’t have his number,” he told DNA from his small home in Masjid Bandar.

Usually a batsman keeps himself updated about his innings and more so, especially if it’s his first double ton. But Kesar is different. “Ab maara hai toh maara hai (Now that I have scored, I have scored).

“What do I say about this. But I think I took 250 something balls and some 20-25 boundaries to score my double ton,” he said. However, asked how it feels to get a double hundred, “Felt nice,” is all he said.

Kesar’s day starts at six in the morning. He travels from his home in Masjid to CST in a crowded train, which is only one station away. He gets Rs 30 as a pocket money every day, modest for a cricketer who has to commute and also requires a high energy diet.

“From Rs 30 that my father gives me, Rs 20 goes in travelling. So, I have to manage with the rest of the money. During school matches, we get lunch otherwise my coaches help me out,” he said.

For his cricketing skills and brilliant wicket-keeping, Kesar has been named in the Mumbai Under-14 squad. He will be sharing the dressing room with Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun and he is proud of wearing that Lion Crest.

“I feel proud that I will be playing for Mumbai. Whoever plays well will be in the Mumbai team,” he said. When asked whether he idolises MS Dhoni or Adam Gilchrist, the eighth class student said: “I am my own icon.”

His school coach Nafees Khan, who spotted him at Azad Maidan, three years ago said he is a talented boy.

“There are very few in Azad Maidan who don’t know him. He is quite famous for his carefree attitude, but not careless. He lives in his own world. You cannot easily trace him as he doesn’t have a mobile. He comes and goes at his own will, but he is a young boy and will mature once he grows up,” he said.

Mumbai Under-14 coach Deepak Patil, too, praised the boy. “He is a very good cricketer. Good at batting and wicket-keeping. However, he should remain focused and control his aggression. He definitely has the talent to go forward,” he said.

(Taus Rizvi is a Principal Correspondent with DNA. A club-level cricketer, he believes cricket helps in knowing a person’s character. Taus can be followed on @rizvitaus on Twitter. The above news has been republished with permission from DNA, where itfirst appeared)

First Published on January 10, 2014, 12:00 pmLast updated on January 10, 2014, 12:01 pm